Subway Series Notes: Mets Derailed In The Bronx

What started out with a big 2-1 win over the Yankees on Friday night to kick-off the Subway Series, took a turn for the worse on Saturday when an ineffective Chris Capuano let up four homers in a 7-3 loss. Then things completely unraveled today when Mike Pelfrey had one of his classic meltdowns on the mound in what turned out to be a huge eight run inning for the Bronx Bombers who beat the Mets 9-3. Pelfrey’s line was 6 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 1 HBP. The outing raised his ERA to 5.37 and his record now stands at 3-4.

Terry Collins told reporters that his team was incapable of competing in a slugfest with the Yankees. He was right, good call Terry.

While all that was going on, there was some news and notes that you may have missed. Rather than flooding the site with a series of individual posts, I thought I would just summarize them all here instead.

Angel Flies To Puerto Rico

Before the game today, Collins spoke with reporters at Yankee Stadium and said that he expects center fielder Angel Pagan to return sometime this week. Pagan was expected to play a couple of games for Triple-A Buffalo to finish his rehabilitation assignment, but instead flew to Puerto Rico to attend to a personal family matter instead. No word on what day he is expected to be activated.

Thole Losing Grip As Starting Catcher

Josh Thole is mired in a season long slump that can only be described as a train wreck. In the last six weeks, he has a .172 average, a .245 on-base percentage and a .204 slugging percentage. Over his last 31 games, he has recorded three extra-base hits. Over his last 17 games, he has one. This morning, Terry Collins said that he plans to give Ronny Paulino a string of consecutive starts at the position, and that he will give Thole time to clear his head and work on his swing. For now, Thole is no longer the Mets starting catcher.

Ike Davis Is Swimming, Not Running

Davis, a first baseman, has begun fielding ground balls and taking swings in Port St. Lucie, Fla., but he has not yet run on his sprained left ankle. Manager Terry Collins said that he doesn’t expect Davis to play in any rehab games, but the first baseman isn’t likely to play until a few days after he can come off the 15-day disabled list on Thursday. He has been working mostly in the pool.

Turner’s Streak Ended

Second baseman Justin Turner‘s streak of consecutive games with an RBI ended at seven. Justin Turner’s single on Saturday, stretched his RBI streak to seven straight games, leapfrogging Ron Swoboda (1965) for the Mets’ rookie record. “It’s pretty neat,” Turner said. “It’s cool to be in the book until the next guy does it.”

Footloose

The Mets are concerned with Daniel Murphy’s footwork at first base, believing he comes off the bag too early. Murphy got the benefit of a key blown call Thursday when he clearly was pulled off the bag on a wide throw. Terry Collins spoke with infield coach Chip Hale on the way to Yankee Stadium for Saturday’s game about tightening up his footwork. “If it’s going around that he’s coming off the bag early, we’ve got to correct it,” Collins said.

The Mets will have a day off on Monday and get some time off to lick their wounds before heading to Wrigley Field for the start of three-game series with the Chicago Cubs.

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73, '00 and '15, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction and interact with other passionate Met fans like you. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.